"Catherine?" I glanced at my side when I heard someone call my name.
It was Claudio. Lorenzo's best friend.
"Bakit nasa labas ka? Hindi ka ba papasok?" he asked.
I shook my head. "I like it here." I smiled at him. "Why are you here? Wala ka bang trabaho?" I asked. Claudio is a lawyer too, but I heard he's now managing their family's businesses.
"Wala naman. I came here as soon as I saw the news." he heaved a sigh as he stared at Lorenzo through the small window on the door. "He's been suffering all his life. Akala ko hindi na siya guguluhin ng tatay niya. But after all these years, hindi pa rin pala siya tapos."
"I don't even know why he helped his father. I was so mad at him the last time we talked. Hindi ko alam na ganito ang mangyayari." my voice cracked.
He smiled at me. "People are blaming him for helping his father. Kahit ako nagulat din nang malaman 'yon. I talked to him."
I smiled. At least Lorenzo has someone to talk to.
"What did he say?"
Umiling siya. "Ayaw niya rin. Gusto niyang tumanggi, gusto niyang tanggihan. But Eduardo was threatening him, he said he'll drag your father with the corruption case. Remember the agreement they had when you two got married? Your father helped Eduardo's company back then, and he'll use that agreement to threaten him."
My eyes widened at that. "What?!"
"Alam kong magugulat ka. Hindi na ako nagulat na hindi mo 'to alam. For sure he wanted to keep everything from you." he uttered.
I covered my mouth with my palm to stifle my cries. "Hindi ko alam....hindi ko talaga alam..."
"Hey.... it's fine." Claudio caressed my back. "Lorenzo wanted to keep things from you because he doesn't want you to blame yourself. Kaya kung sisihin mo ang sarili mo, para mo na ring sinayang ang ginawa niya para sa'yo."
"But...bakit hindi niya sinabi! I should've helped him." I cried. "Nakakainis talaga siya."
Claudio chuckled. "Alam mo kayo, ewan ko sa inyo. Balita ko nagising na siya kanina, nagkausap na ba kayo?" he asked.
I shook my head. "Hindi pa..."
BINABASA MO ANG
The Covetous Heart¹
Lãng mạn"Until I realized this was a direction that would lead me to a new path of life. From that moments, I knew, that this life will gonna be a life of unending love and pain, selfishness and sacrifices, and strength and weaknesses."
